Local tributes to Nelson Mandela

FOR USE AS DESIRED, YEAR END PHOTOS - FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2005 file photo, former South African President Nelson Mandela, 87, smiles the Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg. On Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, Mandela died at the age of 95. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell, File)

LORAIN — Local tributes to the late Nelson Mandela are scheduled for the next two weekends.

The International Urban Peace, Justice and Empowerment of Lorain County, Interfaith Ministries and the Lorain community is sponsoring a public commemoration from 1-3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Lorain Public Library, 351 W. Sixth St., Room A.

This event, in the words of Paul Hasan, imam and regional coordinator of the Peace, Justice and Empowerment organization, “will honor the life and struggle for justice and peace, using his (Mandela’s) life to inspire us and to improve our conditions.”

For more information, call Hasan at 440-258-3114, Ricky Smith at 440-240-3314, Tim Carrion at 440-258-9968 or Marcus Atkinson at 440-258-7062.

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A local tribute to Mandela, his life and his legacy takes place 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at the Harrison Cultural Community Centre, 1922 Hamilton Ave., Lorain, second floor.

James Taylor, a radio announcer with WJTB radio, will broadcast the event.

Those in attendance will include Lorainites Emily and Dr. Fleming Mosely, Jerry and Valerie Warfield, E. Jean Wrice, president of the Lorain branch of the NAACP; Pete and Teresa Wooten, Vonisha Massey and Joanne Eldridge.

It is free and open to the public.

Mandela died at his home in Johannesburg on Dec. 5 at age 95. He became actively involved in the anti-apartheid movement as a young man.

For 20 years, he directed a campaign of peaceful, nonviolent defiance against the racist policies of the South African government. He spent 27 years in prison on sabotage charges.

Mandela and South African President F.W. de Klerk were jointly awarded the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to dismantle the country’s apartheid system. In 1994, Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s first black president.

“He was an inspiration to me in reference to where we were as far as the struggle for civil rights,” Hasan said of Mandela. “Being a college student in the ‘70s, and getting introduced to that struggle in South Africa and apartheid, got me on the path of activism.

“Not one man, but many, came out of that brutal situation. Mandela spent 27 years in prison and decided what was best for the world is peace and reconciliation. Doing what he did was an inspiration to me to move further and be more vigilant about any kind of injustice, or homelessness, or workers’ rights, whatever it may be.”

At the gathering, Hasan said guest speakers will discuss Mandela’s history and to continue to work and not give up.

“There will be public comments and reflections on how to make our city a better city and our nation a better nation,” Hasan said.

“(Mandela) was blessed,” Wrice said. “Look how long he lived. He came out of prison and did an about- face and became a leader. He was outstanding and strong and blessed.”